"Go"

It was 1996, when Francis and Amy landed in the hostile nation of Afghanistan. Their mission, with a bag full of Bibles in tow, was as simple as it was dangerous; spread the love of Jesus, and learn more, through interviews, about this Sharia-controlled land. Through an incredible series of events, the two of them passed through a dozen gunned checkpoints, and were allowed to interview the Taliban Minister of Education himself. After an academic interview, Francis handed the leader a Bible. The man's eyes widened, as he stared at the gift. "I know exactly what this book is. I've been praying to God for years that I could read the Bible. Thank you for coming this far to give me my own."

This story is unbelievable, in so many ways. It's incredible, to think that the Bibles passed through the checkpoints. It seems unthinkable, that a member of the Taliban would have prayed for a Bible to be brought to him. But the detail that touched me the most in this story was about Francis and Amy themselves; they were only 19 years old, when this story unfolded.

These two young adults were less than two years older than me. And they were fighting in the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, to see God's love come forth in that darkness. It's so easy to think that I don't have the opportunities to do something like that. But the question I have to ask myself is, would I be willing to go to that kind of place, if God sent me there?

I used to think that question was a no-brainer. Of course I would!  I was passionate about the Middle East, and I wasn't afraid to die. I wanted to live a full life, poured out before Jesus, holding nothing back. I wanted to walk, in alignment with the phrase I had taped to my desk: "To do any less is to cheapen His sacrifice."  I wanted to pour myself out; to give Him my all, as He had given His all for me.

At least... I thought that was my mindset, until this week. This past Friday, I had agreed to volunteer with an after-school ministry at a local elementary school. Originally, it was going to be with my family. But on Friday, as fate would have it, I was the only one who would be able to go. Instantly, I looked for every excuse to stay home. I had never been to this place, or met the director!  I didn't know what door to use, when entering the school!  And I wasn't teaching the lesson, so it wouldn't be that important if I skipped a week!  Eventually, I tried to ease my conscience with a more spiritual argument. God knew I had important things to do at home. I had to research the Yazidi Iraqi minority, for my comp paper, so I could learn more about them and have a more effective prayer life!  I had to have time to read this really important book about surrendering my love story, so I wouldn't accidentally take it back into my own hands!  I had to finish my calculus homework, so I didn't un-glorify God by not getting all my problems right!  SURELY He could let me off the hook!

I can just imagine God laughing down at me, as I grudgingly drove down the road to the elementary school that afternoon. He knew exactly what He was doing; that little group of first graders were so full of joy, and it was a beautiful thing to be somebody they could love, and to hold them when their feelings were hurt. I lost myself for the first time in longer than I can remember; I forgot all the other things on my mind, as I saw the heart of Jesus in the faces of His kiddos.

There are places in the world that are openly, visibly filled with darkness. But there are also areas in which that depression is hidden. You can't see it immediately, but it's there. It's in the eyes of the tiny little six year old, looking down at her shoes as she told me her friends said she was fat. It's buried within the clenched first of a psychology classmate, whose anger was visible when our class talked about the scientific evidence for life at conception. It's veiled behind the closed life of the Christian down the street, who won't ask for help.

I don't think God has a favorite part of the world. He may call you to the deepest, most dangerous spiritual abysses of the world. Or He may call you just down the road, to be His light. But would you be willing to go, wherever it was He sent you... even to the seemingly unimportant places?

The One who calls you is faithful, however dangerous or however meaningless the work may seem. Whether it's treks into the darkness of Afghanistan, or a quick drive to an elementary school, God is in control, and you are in His hands.

The question is, are you willing to go?

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~ 

Worship Song: 

"You Make Me Brave",
by Amanda Cook (Bethel Music)